Contents

History

Originally designed to carry a single Tetrarch tank or a pair of Universal Carriers, The Hamilcar design was adapted to carry a variety of loads. All production of the Hamilcar was handled by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd.[2]

Description

The fuselage consisted of a rectangular all wood semi monocoque structure, consisting of a series of square frames with fabric covered plywood skin. This was reinforced by high tensile steel gusset plates and a keel beam.

The RAF 32 section wing was equipped with pneumatically operated all wooded slotted flaps and fabric covered ailerons. The two box spar structure had a plywood skin covered with fabric, and was made up of a centre section and two tapering outer sections with a total aspect ratio of 11.5.

The divided type landing gear consisted of two units, each comprised of two vees hinged to the lower fuselage longerons, and a vertical shock absorber attached to the centre section front spar. This was supplemented by a fully castoring tail wheel.[2]

Modifications

Twenty two examples was converted into the twin engine G.A.L.58 Hamilcar X. Intended for use against the forces of Japan, The Hamilcar X was not used in action.[3]